Risk of deadly cancer increases with certain level of alcohol consumption, study says

Heavy and consistent drinking throughout an adult’s life may lead to an increased risk of colorectal cancer, according to a study published in the journal Cancer by the American Cancer Society (ACS).

The study analyzed 20 years of data from more than 88,000 American adults to determine how long-term alcohol consumption affected the risk of developing colorectal cancer (CRC) or precancerous colorectal adenomas (polyps).

Participants reported their average weekly consumption of beer, wine, and liquor over four age periods. — 18 to 24, 25 to 39, 40 to 54 and 55 and more.

DOCTOR REVEALS WHAT 30 DAYS WITHOUT ALCOHOL DOES TO THE BRAIN AND BODY IN THE MIDDLE OF DRY JANUARY

“Heavy drinkers” were identified as having more than 14 drinks per week and “moderate drinkers” were identified as having between seven and 14 drinks per week.

Observational research revealed that consistent heavy drinking throughout adulthood was linked to an increased risk of colorectal cancer, especially rectal cancer.

Lifetime heavy alcohol consumption was associated with a 25% increased overall risk of CRC and almost double the risk of rectal cancer. Lifetime moderate alcohol consumption had a lower overall CRC risk.

Compared with light drinkers, heavy and consistent drinkers had an approximately 91% increased risk of CRC.

EXPERTS REVEAL WHAT “REASONABLE” DRINKING IS AND WHO SHOULD AVOID ALCOHOL

For colorectal adenomas (precancerous polyps), increased lifetime alcohol consumption did not show a strong pattern, although former drinkers showed a significantly lower risk of non-advanced adenoma compared to current moderate drinkers.

Of the 88,092 participants, 1,679 were diagnosed with colorectal cancer.

The authors noted that the research was limited in that it was observational and not based on a clinical trial. It also depended on self-reported alcohol consumption.

The findings suggest that consistent heavy alcohol consumption and higher average lifetime consumption “may increase the risk of CRC, while smoking cessation may reduce the risk of adenoma,” the researchers said. The associations “may differ depending on tumor site,” they added.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE HEALTH STORIES

According to health experts, the link between alcohol consumption and cancer is not a new discovery.

On a recent episode of “The Dr. Mark Hyman Show” podcast, Dr. Mark Hyman, medical director of Function Health in California, detailed how even moderate alcohol consumption can affect “almost every organ system in the body,” due to metabolic stress, inflammation, poor detoxification, and its effect on hormones.

Drinking has been found to increase the risk of many cancers, metabolic dysfunction, gut microbiome alterations and mitochondrial toxins, Hyman said.

CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE TO OUR HEALTH NEWSLETTER

“Simply put, alcohol affects all major systems in the body, especially the liver, brain, gut and hormones,” he warned.

In a previous interview with News Digital, Dr. Pinchieh Chiang, a physician at Circle Medical in San Francisco, shared that taking a break from alcohol consumption for longer periods of time can “more profoundly reshape your health.”

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE News APP

“Over months to a year, we see sustained improvements in blood pressure, liver function and inflammation,” he said. “Those changes directly affect the long-term risk of heart disease and stroke.”

Chiang added: “Reducing or eliminating alcohol reduces the risk of several cancers, including breast and colorectal, over time.”

TRY OUR LATEST LIFESTYLE QUIZ

News Digital reached out to the study’s researchers for comment.